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DCP issued cease‑and‑desist letter over unlicensed valuation and use of state flag; assessors advised to request letter via FOI
Summary
Department of Consumer Protection investigators told the commission they issued a July 2024 cease‑and‑desist to a company that used Connecticut’s state flag in advertising and may have provided valuation services without licensed appraisers; the department said the case is closed and copies of the letter are available by FOI request.
Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) staff reported on Feb. 19 that a complaint led to a July 8, 2024 cease‑and‑desist letter to a company identified in the transcript as "Samsung Joseph C Samsung company" for two issues: alleged misuse of the Connecticut state flag in advertising and apparent use of unlicensed individuals to provide valuation services in Connecticut.
Staff said the certified mail to the Connecticut address was returned as undeliverable and the company provided no response to the department’s correspondence. The case was closed; DCP investigators told commissioners that municipalities or assessors who need a copy of the department letter should submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
Why it matters: Local assessors reported receiving valuation work from the named entity in appeals and asked for the DCP’s letter to determine next steps in court or administrative proceedings. The department confirmed the letter is a closed matter but available via FOI so local governments can take any independent action they deem appropriate.
What DCP reported DCP staff said the department found potential violations of advertising and appraisal‑practice rules: the use of the Connecticut state flag in ways that could mislead the public and apparent provision of valuation services by employees described as "tax analysts" rather than licensed appraisers. Staff cited the department’s letter requesting that the company cease misusing the state flag and cease providing valuation services in Connecticut without licensed appraisers.
Access to the department letter Legal counsel Vicky advised assessors and members of the public that the letter is a closed case document and can be obtained through the FOI process; staff offered to send the FOI request link and to assist requesters.
Provenance Discussion began when commissioners noted multiple calls from assessors asking for a copy of that decision; the item concluded after the department explained the case background and FOI process for obtaining the letter.
